Fire being investigated – hazardous cargo not affected
Metro fire-fighters were fighting late into the night of February 13 to control the blaze on board the “APL Austria”.
What happened?
On February 12, the APL Austria was engulfed in flames after a fire occurred in the cargo hold. It was reported that hazardous cargo was stored on board the ship. Initially, it was thought that the fire was in the number three cargo hold, but it was later confirmed that it was actually in number four.
Blaze brought under control:
Although the blaze had been brought under control, the fire-fighting team stayed on the ship overnight. Some containers were being off-loaded while others were being moved out of the danger zone on the “APL Austria”.
Two municipal rescue pumps, one Transnet rescue pump vehicle, a foam tanker, hazardous material unit, a breathing apparatus trailer, and a mobile operations unit had been deployed to help combat the fire. Hazardous material such as paint, refrigeration gas and various other types of chemical cargo was on the ship when the fire broke out about 30 nautical miles southwest of Cape St Francis, while it was sailing towards Cape Town.
A Joint Operations Centre (JOC) consisting of the Nelson Mandela Bay Emergency Medical Services, the fire department, Transnet, and Samsa was established at the Port of Ngqura. Air force helicopters were also placed on standby.
Hazardous cargo not affected:
Several containers containing hazardous cargo were on deck but had not been affected by the fire. The cause of the fire was being investigated.
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Source: HeraldLIVE
